Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Escuela Nacional de Música

Second International Symposium on Silvestre Revueltas:
The composer, the man, and his work

Mexico City - August 26-28, 1998

Silvestre Revueltas (1899-1940) is, unquestionably, a key figure in 20th-century composition. At the threshold of the centennary of his birth, however, our knowledge of his life, work, and influence is inadequate.

The contributions to the First International Symposium, held in 1996, made it possible to define lacunae and suggested new directions of research.

Three areas of investigation were defined:

I. Silvestre Revueltas' works: new approaches

1. Analyses of Revueltas' works, in particular of lesser known scores, such as Itinerarios, Danza geometrica/Planos, Colorines, Alcancias, Esquinas, Velorio, songs for voice and instrumental ensemble, and the four string quartets. Priority will be given to studies of infrequently performed works over popular ones, such as Sensemayá.
2. Discussion and analysis of controversial compilations, suites, arrangements, and reconstructions, such as Redes, La Coronela, La Noche de los Mayas, and Hora de Junio.
3. Revueltas' music for dance, pantomime, radio, film, and theater.
4. Recent projects of bibliographic control, including documentation and editions (critical editions, catalogue of works, discography, chronologies).

II. Revueltas' cultural and social background

1. Revueltas' period: his position within contemporary aesthetics.
2. Personal and epistolary associations with other musicians and artists.
3. Revueltas and the music critics.
4. "Nationalism" and "Mexicanness" in the reception of his oeuvre.
5. A family of artists: Revueltas among the Revueltas.

III. The person and the myth

1. New contributions to biography:

a. Archives of persons linked to the composer (friends, publishers, and performers of his works, such as Limantour, Ruvalcaba, Pomar, Galindo, Huizar, Chavez, Copland, Varese, and others).

b. Interviews with those who knew the composer personally. c. New information on his residence in the US and visits to Spain and France.

2. Medical and psychological profile.

Those interested in participating should send an abstract of 500 words before March 1, 1998, preferably via email.

A selection committee will review proposals on the basis of originality and bearing on the themes identified above.

Papers should not exceed 20 minutes in length (9 or 10 double-spaced pages)

Papers may be read in Spanish or English. Presentations in English should include a Spanish translation, to be distributed among members of the audience. Should this not be possible, papers in English should reach the Organizing Committee by May 1, 1998, for translation in Mexico.

For more information, please contact:

II Coloquio Internacional Silvestre Revueltas

Prof. Roberto Kolb, coordinator.

Departamento de InvestigaciÛn de la Escuela Nacional de Música/UNAM

Xicoténcatl #126, Colonia Del Carmen. Delegación de Coyoacán

México D.F., CP 04100

Teléfono: (52-5) 605 45 70 ext. 114

Fax: (52-5) 605 46 24 y (52-5) 604 11 27

email: revuelt2@servidor.unam.mx

Please email questions or consultations to Latin American Music Center: lamc@indiana.edu